Julia A. Fenton received hers BA in philosophy and religion from Millsap's College in Jackson, MS and continued on to study fine arts studies in philosophy, art history and studio art at Atlanta College of Art in Atlanta, GA. Fenton's graduate studies include fine arts at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA; women's studies at Emory University, Atlanta, GA; art history at The University of Chicago, IL; and philosophy of religion at Princeton University. Fenton's extensive professional positions have included, Curator at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Exhibitions Director at Spruill Center for Arts, Atlanta, GA; Director of Newport Visual Arts Center, OR; Gallery Director & Curator at  Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta GA; Director of Galleries at The City of Atlanta Department of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta, GA; and Founding Editor & Vice President of Contemporary Art Southeast Magazine (later Art Papers), Atlanta, GA.